SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN NOVEMBER 2026
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SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN NOVEMBER 2026 —
Unlock Your Opportunity
El Sol De Sylvia Foundation helps to empower youth athletes through sport. Our scholarship program turns generosity into opportunity, so that youth athletes can access sport, build confidence, and discover their potential.
Who We Support
Our scholarships are open to middle and high school student-athletes facing financial or personal barriers to participation in sport. We look for young people who demonstrate resilience in the face of obstacles, discipline, resourcefulness, and a genuine commitment to others — qualities that carry them through their sport and into every part of their lives.
Applications for the Spring 2027 scholarship cohort open in November 2026.
Families interested in learning more can visit this page for updates, or reach out directly with questions about eligibility and the application process.
Our Founding Donors Scholarship Class
We are proud to celebrate our inaugural cohort: the Founding Donors Scholarship Class of Fall 2026, eight remarkable student-athletes from across the country.
Congratulations to Abby, Audriana, Brandon, Nickolas, Nigel, Rebecca, V. Vianna, and Zarah on being selected for our inaugural scholarship class. We are proud to support you on your journeys.
While each recipient's story is unique, common threads run through them all: resilience in the face of obstacles, using their sport and what it has taught them to navigate life's challenges, and a genuine commitment to others. Recipients demonstrated discipline, resourcefulness, self-awareness, and a strong work ethic. Together, these qualities reflect a group of young people who are motivated to grow and ready to make the most of the opportunities ahead.
Meet a Few of Our Recipients
Abby L., a rower, applied for a scholarship to help cover the cost of traveling to practice and races. In her application, Abby wrote a beautiful analogy about rowing being like a garden, with practice as the compost that helps it grow. Adopted after a challenging childhood, she credits her teammates for the love and support that has helped her learn about teamwork, hard work, and patience. Despite having to travel to practice several times a week, Abby is committed to her sport and to mentoring other kids along the way.
Nigel Boyd is a rower at Princeton National Rowing Association who applied for a scholarship to help cover the costs of his registration fees. In his application, Nigel wrote about learning discipline, consistency, integrity, and mental toughness through rowing, as well as the importance of embracing discomfort in order to grow. He envisions rowing in college, being someone who younger athletes can look up to, using what he’s learned about teamwork in his future career and community, and showing other athletes who look like him that they belong in any sport they want to pursue.
Rebecca R. is a rower at Chicago Rowing Foundation who applied for a scholarship to help cover the costs of registration fees, gear, and travel.
V. Vianna is also a rower at Chicago Rowing Foundation whose scholarship is helping cover her registration fees this season. Through sport, Vianna wants to develop her accountability and leadership skills and continue learning how introspection can help her recognize where she struggles, as well as how to overcome difficulty both physically and mentally.
Athlete Qualifications
Applications are open to any pre-college youth athlete who dreams of participating in sport. No sport is excluded. No background is disqualifying. We review every application carefully and confidentially, with special consideration for those whose financial or personal circumstances create the greatest barriers to participation, including:
Athletes facing financial, systemic, or personal barriers that limit their access to athletic opportunities
Athletes who demonstrate a strong desire to learn, grow, and commit to their sport
Athletes who are looking for structure, mentorship, and a supportive community to help them reach their potential
The Application Process
Application: Complete the written scholarship application form.
Review: Our team will review your application to understand your story, your barriers, and your goals. You can expect to hear from us within two weeks.
Interview: If you are selected to move forward, you will be invited to a 30-minute interview. This is a casual conversation with three scholarship committee members to get to know you better!
Selection: If you are selected as a recipient, you will be notified, awarded your scholarship, and welcomed into the El Sol family.
Our Goal
When young people have access to sport, they’re given more than just training. They’re given structure, mentorship, confidence, and the chance to change the trajectory of their lives. Our goal is not simply participation — it’s transformation.
Through this scholarship, the foundation is building a pathway for student-athletes to access experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. Depending on the athlete's needs, the scholarship may offer:
Financial support: Funding to cover club fees, equipment, travel, or tournament costs.
Access to training: From a first learn-to-row camp to full-year training opportunities across various sports.
Mentorship: Guidance from experienced coaches and community leaders to help you build character and navigate challenges within a supportive community.
Looking Ahead: The Tompkins-Broll Family Foundation Scholarship Class
An especially generous gift from the Tompkins-Broll Family Foundation made it possible for El Sol De Sylvia Foundation to award our first cohort of eight scholarships and establish an endowment fund, a foundation for continuing this mission for years to come. In recognition of that gift, our next scholarship cohort, arriving in Spring 2027, will be named the Tompkins-Broll Family Foundation Scholarship Class.